I am a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Fuel Cell and Green Energy Lab (FCGEL), University of Waterloo. My research focuses on developing and analyzing the corrosion degradation model for metallic and non-metallic coatings for proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) bipolar plates, with specific applications in the aerospace sector. This involves a detailed investigation of material substrates and coating properties to optimize the performance and durability of next-generation bipolar plates.
I earned my PhD in Process Engineering from Memorial University of Newfoundland, specializing in Materials Science and Engineering. I worked extensively on electroplating zinc, zinc-nickel, and zinc-nickel oxide for offshore and marine corrosion protection. I also hold bachelor's and master’s degrees in chemical engineering. In parallel to my research, I was actively engaged in a large-scale project, Sustainable Emissions Reduction by Digital Integrity Management (SERDIM), collaborating with institutions like Dalhousie University, NRC, MITACS, PRNL, and major industry partners such as Suncor Energy and Lloyd's Register.
My postdoctoral work spans critical areas, including electrochemistry, materials science, corrosion control, intelligent coatings, numerical modelling, data-driven modelling and experimental design. I am collaborating with colleagues at FCGEL to pioneer new materials and coating technologies for PEMFC bipolar plates, aiming to significantly enhance their efficiency, durability, and corrosion resistance for aerospace applications. Beyond research, I have contributed to academia by teaching at universities and colleges across Canada since 2017.
Projects at FCGEL:
- Metallic and non-metallic coatings on PEMFC bipolar plates for electric aviation applications
- Hydrogen PEM Fuel Cells propulsion system for aviation
Achievement:
- DAAD Green Hydrogen Research Tour 2024: "Green Hydrogen Research and Technology in Germany," where I will join 21 other selected candidates worldwide.
- Best Presentation Award: “Production of Hydrogen from Fossil Fuel Integrated with Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS)” in 15th International Green Energy Conference (IGEC-XV), University of Glasgow, Scotland, UK.
- Lloyd Douglas Scholarship of the Atlantic Canada Water and Wastewater Association (ACWWA): Atlantic Canada Water and Wastewater Association, Canada.
- Recognition of Excellence: School of Graduate Studies of Memorial University, NL, Canada
Selected publications:
- Shams Anwar, Xianguo Li, (2024) “A Review of High-Quality Epoxy Resins for Corrosion-Resistant Applications” Journal of Coatings Technology and Research, 21, 461-480.
- Pramoth Varsan Madhavan, Shams Anwar, Samaneh Shahgaldi and Xianguo Li (2024) “Investigating the Impact of Coating Thickness on the Performance of Diamond-Like-Carbon Coated Metallic Bipolar Plates in PEM Fuel Cells” Electrochemica Acta (Under Review)
Shams Anwar, Xianguo Li, (2023) “Production of Hydrogen from Fossil Fuel: A review” Frontiers in Energy, 17, 585-610.
Research profiles: